“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make your paths straight.”—Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).
If you’re feeling anxious or going through a difficult season, you’re not alone. With pandemic issues, worldwide disasters, divisive discourse, and political division, many are unsettled, even the most faithful Christians among us.
Struggling to make sense of our chaotic world, it’s often difficult to see the light at the end of the tunnel. Have we’ve taken our eyes off “The Light?”
In John 8: 12, Jesus says, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.”
Taking Our Eyes Off of Jesus
What happens when we take our eyes off Jesus? We succumb to despair, we lose hope, and forget how He has been there for us in the past.
Our memories are short sometimes. We’re so focused on our present difficulties and anxious thoughts, we shove His love and grace to the back of the filing cabinet drawer. Our trust in Him wavers and our eyes lose focus. Instead of keeping our eyes on Him, our focus is on the world.
When I recall how God has provided for and protected me in the past, I’m infused with the peace that passes understanding. Only a child of God can understand that warmth enfolding you like a blanket on a cold night when your trust is in Him.
A Confident Expectation
One definition of trust, according to dictionary.com is a “confident expectation of something; hope.”
In Romans 5, Paul writes, “And not only that, but we also boast in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us.”
If anyone had a right to lose hope, it was the Apostle Paul. A former persecutor of Christians, Paul, formerly known as Saul, became a believer, follower, and disciple of Jesus Christ after an encounter on the road to Damascus. Suffering, and eventually dying for his faith, Paul never lost hope.
Hope in a Faithful Father
How do you develop trust in others? Let’s say you’ve just met a new person at work. You interact with him/her on the job. Maybe you have lunch together and over the years your work relationship evolves into a close friendship.
Interaction with another is the key to developing trust. The more time we spend with someone, we learn about their character and forge a closer bond. The same is true of our Heavenly Father. Time spent in prayer and reading and meditating on His Word leads to a strong bond, based on a faith He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Don’t let life’s challenges overwhelm your faith in Him. He already has the victory. As Billy Graham once said, “I’ve read the last page of the Bible. It’s all going to turn out all right.”
I always love hearing from my readers. Please feel free to e-mail me at carol@carolaround.com with your thoughts, or visit my blog for more inspiration at www.carolaround.com. If you need a speaker or workshop leader, you can contact me at the above e-mail or through my website. I’d be delighted to hear from you.
Photo credit: inc.com
